WOKC Local News – March 11, 2026, 7:40 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. New command at fire rescue with WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy, 26 year veteran fireman. Justin Hazel Leaf is a new fire chief at Oak Shiba County Fire Rescue. A change of command ceremony held at Oak View Church, including the St. Lucie Fire Pipe and Drum. Music Hazel Leaf saluted the fire rescue crews that make the department home. As I assume the role of fire chief, I do so with a deep respect for our past, but a clear focus on our future. My commitment to you is simple. I will lead with integrity, transparency, and accountability. I will listen, I will advocate for this department, and I will never forget that leadership is about service. Service to you and to this community. Former Chief Earl Wooten took a job with the Seminole Tribe to be their chief. He says he’s entering a new chapter in life. Serving alongside you for more than 26 years from rookie firefighter to fire chief has been one of the most meaningful parts of my story. I’ve learned a great deal, grown in ways I never expected. I had the privilege of working with people who care deeply about the mission, just as importantly about one another. For that, I’m genuinely grateful. Former Chief Nick Hopkins spoke on the history of the department, how they’ve improved training, how they’ve improved the staffing numbers, and their facilities. He says the first facility he worked in was the old jail that’s been torn down, and there were some weird sounds in there. The noises, yeah, it’s haunted. It’s haunted here. And I didn’t believe in such a thing, but one of the guys was so spooked he slept with a pistol every night. City of Pahokee will have fireworks this year for July 4th. They set a budget of $30,000. They didn’t have them last year as they were able to get a vendor at a late date. Vice Mayor Sanquita Cowan-Williams says she hasn’t attended meetings in person because she was threatened by members of the family of the interim city manager, Tammy Bussey. Williams says she’s been left out of the loop in city business. We’re not getting what we need. How can we approve items that we’re just not getting and didn’t even have the opportunity to look at? Florida’s Department of Law Enforcement investigating a shooting involving Oogachoobee deputies in four seasons happens in the 6300 block of Northeast 8th Way. A man in crisis apparently confronted deputies and was armed, and they shot him. Chief Deputy Michael Hazeley spoke to reporters afterward. He says the incident is under active investigation. This is a sad day simply because somebody was in such crisis that it rose to this level. Also a shooting in Fort Pierce yesterday in the 800 block of North Lake Drive. St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro says there was an argument at a nearby home and the victim was shot in the shoulder. He somehow was able to get the gun away and shoot the suspect. The victim took off running back to his house and was chased by the suspect. A kind of a wrestling match ensued where the gun exchanged hands and then the suspect was fatally shot. So it could possibly be a self-defense type of a case. I’m Charles Murphy, WKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).